Fresno State Athletics
Projected As WAC's Top Defenseman, McIntyre Anchors Line
8/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 5, 2005
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FRESNO, Calif.- Never in Fresno State history has so much been said or written about a team that has yet to play a game. The reason for the hype heading into the 2005 season lies among the 19 returning starters from a team that won its last five games in overwhelming style and then claimed a thrilling bowl victory in overtime.
The Bulldogs closed out the 2004 season by averaging over 52 points over the final six games of the season and capped that run with a win over No. 18 Virginia in the MPC Computers Bowl.
Back from the that offense are nine starters, including a record-setting quarterback, four of five starters on the line and a trio of running backs who have amassed more than 4,000 yards and 40 career touchdowns.
As if that wasn't enough, the Bulldog defense returns eight starters from a unit that led the WAC in nearly every statistical category, including total defense and scoring defense. Despite playing in the high-octane, pass-happy WAC, the Bulldogs were the only team in the league to allow less than 20 points per game and ranked fourth nationally in pass efficiency defense. The Bulldogs gave up just nine touchdown passes the entire season.
 | The following feature continues a weekly position breakdown of the Fresno State football team. Each Friday, a new position will be highlighted, leading up until the start of the 2005 football season. |
All of this excitement and optimism is compounded with a challenging schedule that includes games against three teams that won 2004 conference championships, including the two-time defending national champion USC Trojans, which are expected to begin the 2005 campaign ranked No. 1.
"There's nothing wrong with having high expectations," said head coach Pat Hill. "We like the fact that people think we are going to be good. It has taken some time for us to get the level where people think we are going to be good year in and year out. That's a sign that the program is reaching a level that we want. We have some very good players coming back and some really good leaders back as well. I feel really good about this team. They showed a lot of maturity and stability during spring drills and I expect that to continue when we report to camp prior to the season."
Defensive Line
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/2Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/3No area on the team was hit harder by graduation than the defensive front, with three players (Brian Morris, Claude Sanders and Donyell Booker) departing who started games last season.
The best news is that Fresno State does return the top player from the unit in senior Garrett McIntyre. A former walk-on, McIntyre has been named WAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and has been ranked as the fourth-best defensive tackle in the nation and a second-team preseason All-American by The Sporting News. A three-year starter, McIntyre has been one of the WAC's most feared players despite being undersized for a tackle. He is the top returning sack producer in the WAC and is expected to move to end for his senior season, where his speed and quickness will be utilized on the edge.
Hill would not have the luxury to move McIntyre had it not been for the continued development of nose tackle Jason Shirley (6-5, 315) and defensive tackle Louis Leonard (6-4, 315). The duo, who emerged late in the 2004 season, combine for 630 pounds of solid rock to anchor the middle of the Bulldog line. The other end spot will be held by Marlon Brisco, who played in 10 games last season.
Tyler Clutts, who had four tackles for losses and a sack last season, has added some weight and strength and will also be a factor at end. Backing up McIntyre will redshirt freshman Adam McDowell, who was selected the program's top defensive scout team player last year. Like McIntyre, he plays with great passion and effort. Sophomore Charles Tolbert and redshirt freshman Jon Monga have improved and should see time backing up Leonard and Shirley.
"Garrett McIntyre is the type of player who makes everyone around him better," Hill said. "He has a great motor and last year people had to double him a lot. Moving him to end means he's going to get a lot of attention which should help the two big guys inside. I like my chances in one-on-one matchups with any of those guys on the front. We have speed and strength and guys who play very hard."
